As he wanted to make the most of the weather while it was still reasonably nice, Kaiser was out wandering the grounds. This was his preferred activity over, for example, homework or studying, neither of which were very high on his list of priorities. Probably because he was terrible at anything and everything related to academia. Wandering also helped him clear his mind, which felt chaotic at the best of times. And, well, it helped distract him from thoughts of outright upping and leaving which, rationally, he knew would probably be a Very Bad Idea.

Having reached the pathways, Kaiser scouted around for a while for a decent tree and, upon finding one, took a run-up and leapt up for one of the lower branches, sort of wall-running up the trunk to help him reach it. Once he had hold of the branch, he swung himself up and onto it with well-practiced ease. Kaiser was a climber of buildings, first and foremost, but trees were certainly also within his area of expertise.

Now that he was in the tree, straddling the branch, Kaiser looked up to plan his route, swinging his legs gently below him as he did so.

For once in a blue moon, Eloise Fairfield did not have her skateboard with her outside. Shocking, she knows. She had plans to board in the courtyard but she got in trouble last time for grinding on the fountain and wanted to give it some cooling off time before she tried again. She was judging one of the trees here in the pathway to see if it was suitable to climb and well apparently she was not the only one and was a mere novice compared to Kaiser who apparently in one try climbed up the try like a squirrel boy. He got up that thing so fast she barely had time to blink. She was exaggerating sure but still.

"Kaiser! how did you get up that tree so fast??"

She almost called him squirrel boy which would be counterproductive to her even getting an answer and not being straight out ignored entirely.

Hearing his name yelled out, Kaiser directed his eyes downward again. For a moment, before he could process that the person who had called out sounded relatively young, he half expected to see a professor ready to call him out for climbing. He wasn't sure if it was officially okay to climb trees, he just sort of did it regardless, much like when he climbed buildings. Except he was slightly more sure that that was not allowed.

But anyway, no, not a professor. A Slytherin. Eloise, from the year below. Kaiser leaned forward so that his head dangled down below, but kept a firm hold of the branch.

"Skill," was his answer, and he grinned upside-down at Eloise as he said it. "And a lot of practice."

Arms crossed, watching Kaiser. Eloise was impressed but oh circe was he showing off right now. Upside down and smiling. She honestly wanted to roll her eyes right now. And that answer. Did tell her one thing that apparently he climbed a lot of trees which sounded weird at first but who was she to judge since that was what she was trying to do.

"I mean how did you get up it so quickly?'

And don't you dare say practice or she will fling a hex up there

Oh, so she wanted a literal answer? Well... Kaiser was tempted to say 'skill' or 'practice' once again just to be a pain, but he quickly made the decision that it was probably better to wind up someone who was not Eloise Fairfield. Maybe he anticipated that hex. Self-preservation and all.

"I ran up the trunk, to start with," Kaiser said, relenting and nodding his upside-down head towards the trunk of the tree. "Then I jumped up, grabbed the branch and just... swung up." He shrugged. It was difficult to explain the process of climbing, and he was more a do-er, than a say-er, in this respect. "Try it." That was, if she wanted to climb too.

Gunnar was doing his best to get back into a regimented schedule of exercise and running now that he was back at school. Sure, he did plenty in the way of staying fit over summer, but with school back in session, he found it necessary for a stricter schedule to get ready for Quidditch and fit his running around classes and study sessions.

He had already gone for a run this morning, but it was such a nice day that he had decided another run the other way at the edge of the lake wouldn't hurt. He needed to be in top shape for Quidditch anyway, right?

And he had just finished that run and basically collapsed on one of the benches in the pathways. Maybe he wasn't in as good shape as he thought. Leaning back against the bench, he poured the contents of his water bottle over his head to cool off. He'd just rest his eyes here for a minute.

Ah, good good good. Eloise didn't need to get her wand out. Perfect. She looked over at a free tree as he started talking and tried visualizing what he was saying and it made a little bit of sense. she was more of a do'er as well and was already thinking of trying it even before he said so.

Even if it meant him laughing at her.

"Run up the trunk you said?"

Well ok, she was doing to try it as she gave one more look at him than the free tree and leap up and start well tried running up the tree and missing the branch to hold onto and landed on her behind.

"Owwwww"

Circe, that hurt.

"Yes," Kaiser replied, nodding again and glancing to the tree he was fairly sure Eloise had her eye on. He wasn't entirely sure what to expect here, but if she managed it perfectly on her first attempt, he was going to be impressed. Maybe. Kind of.

No danger of that. Within seconds, she was on the ground, and Kaiser had to press his lips tightly together to keep himself from laughing out loud. He didn't imagine it would end well for him if she heard that.

"Uh..." he said, changing position so he was draped over the branch, not unlike a panther lounging in the tree. "Not... not quite like that." Was there just a hint of a smile on his features? Ahem. Could be.

Eloise rubbed her backside as she got up and turned her head sharply to see if he was laughing because this was prime laugh at material since she missed pretty badly there. Impressed that he was hiding it or wasn't.

She scratched her head as she gave the tree another look.

"Need more air on the jump I think"

Was more a question for Kaiser and her talking out loud as she psyched herself up to give it another go

Max-one-million was reeling. He was fresh out of the potions classroom and his head was spinning with ideas, dreams and a lot of ingredients that he'd never touch in a million years if it weren't for his affection for Potions- and, to an extent, the potions master. Noble was really cool, and really smart and dependable. He was just what a hufflepuff ought to be, and he made Maxie feel... properly like a hufflepuff.

Maybe, just maybe the second-year was getting a hang of all this Hogwarts stuff, and school stuff and that guy was definitely dead-

wait. Maxie stopped mid-stride. Dead?

Dead??

He backtracked, moving like a cartoon in reverse. Bug-eyed, and worried, all comforting thoughts (or logic, apparently) had gone out the window. He stared blankly at the older boy- one he knew well from the Quidditch pitch, and wiggled. What did he do? wHAT DID HE DO?

His first instinct was to run and get an adult but would there be time for that? Gunnar looked quite pale and clammy as it was. Maxie inched closer, all the while slowly drawing his wand. He'd levitate the older boy inside- that was for the best- and then he'd call out for help- Yeah. YEah, that was the right thing.

"Windgardium Laviosa." Maxie said, pointing his wand at Gunnar before adding the necessary swish and flick. Thankfully, he was quite good at this kind of magic.

The little bowtruckles quietly made their way out of the Forbidden Forest and towards the trees near the pathway. They had left their homes and ventured onto Hogwarts grounds in search of a new place to stay. The trees near the pathways would provide a temporary home for the small creatures, they just hoped they wouldn't be seen.

The resting of his eyes turned into more of a quick cat nap as his achy muscles began to relax and his mind began to drift away. As the water dripped off his forehead, Gunnar began to dream of slipping below the black lake and swimming with a group of grindylows. But soon enough, he was no longer swimming. In fact, he was flying.

Without wings or a broom, he was flying through the air, the wind whipping through his hair. But it was, in fact, the wind on his face that woke him up. And to his confusion and eventual horror, he saw that he actually was, somehow, in the air.

"What... what's going on?" he looked around frantically, scrambling for something to hold on to. He wasn't that far off the ground, but it was a very disorienting feeling to wake up to. And he soon saw the younger boy with his wand pointed at him; clearly this was his doing.

It was a COLD and brisk January morning. The holidays had come and gone and the students were all back at school. The holidays were a wonderful time, full of good food, candy, sweets, more good food, sugar... etc. Which was why Piers had planned a club meeting for the health and wellness group for right after the holidays. Some students were making New Year's resolutions, he was sure, and could use the extra bump from one of the faculty members. He for one, liked to stay in shape... most of the time.

With three of his dogs, Piers trekked through the crisp, frozen grass across the grounds and stopped where the Pathways around the grounds met with the Courtyard. Rubbings his hands together, he waited, hopeful that at least ONE student would want to come on a job with him and his dogs... in the freezing cold

Since returning from Calais, Analiese had been looking forward to returning to Hogwarts. One of the first things she saw upon her return to Hogwarts was the notice for a 'Post-Holiday Fun Run'. That happened to be exactly where she was off to now. She munched on a chocolate bar she had brought with her as she walked through the frozen grass. Probably not recommended, since she was going to Health and Wellness Club meeting. But anyway, here she was, munching on a milk chocolate bar as she approached where the meeting was arranged. She wrapped the scarf she had brought tighter around her neck. It was cold, after all.

As Analiese came nearer and nearer to where they were supposed to meet, she spotted Professor Fuller-Thompson. He appeared to be accompanied by three of his dogs and also seemed to be alone. She pondered whether she was the first one there or very late. Judging by time, it was probably the former. "Good morning, Professor. Did you have a nice break?" She greeted the man politely with a warm smile.

For the record, Vita didn't want to be here. Thing was, she felt obligated to show. Couldn't very well stand up her Head of House, a man who would be receiving a request for a letter of recommendation for future use any day now. She needed to keep him in her good graces, so here she was, all bundled up and ready to run. Maybe.

"You know Professor, if you want me to look after the dogs while you take other students on this jog, I'd be happy to do that." She would.

Ok why Eloise was doing this she herself didn't know but she was here and ready for whatever this Health and Wellness thing was with Professor Good Lookin..she means Fuller-Thompson. Can't really get a fuller last name than that she supposed. Elosie took a big sigh of relief realizing she was not the first one here like that matter at all. Even if one of the two was one of her Prefects....eeeehhhh. Oh no she heard the dreaded J word. She should have stayed in the dorm.

"Hey Professor, I just had a giant breakfast so not a lot of running would be appreciated"

Has anyone told him today his dogs were good boys?

Eloise believed you need to tell every dog you see they were a good boy at least once a day

Quote:

Originally Posted by SneakySeverusSnape

Since returning from Calais, Analiese had been looking forward to returning to Hogwarts. One of the first things she saw upon her return to Hogwarts was the notice for a 'Post-Holiday Fun Run'. That happened to be exactly where she was off to now. She munched on a chocolate bar she had brought with her as she walked through the frozen grass. Probably not recommended, since she was going to Health and Wellness Club meeting. But anyway, here she was, munching on a milk chocolate bar as she approached where the meeting was arranged. She wrapped the scarf she had brought tighter around her neck. It was cold, after all.

As Analiese came nearer and nearer to where they were supposed to meet, she spotted Professor Fuller-Thompson. He appeared to be accompanied by three of his dogs and also seemed to be alone. She pondered whether she was the first one there or very late. Judging by time, it was probably the former. "Good morning, Professor. Did you have a nice break?" She greeted the man politely with a warm smile.

To be quite honest, Piers was really only expecting a few kids to show up. He was sure that teenagers didn't feel the need to go workout, or that they DID feel the need to be lazy. He would have liked to think that they were just busy doing their homework, but... well, he was a teenager once and that was not what he was doing.

He smiled at the first student to arrive. "Yes, I did, thank you. Did you?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakemetotheBurrow

For the record, Vita didn't want to be here. Thing was, she felt obligated to show. Couldn't very well stand up her Head of House, a man who would be receiving a request for a letter of recommendation for future use any day now. She needed to keep him in her good graces, so here she was, all bundled up and ready to run. Maybe.

"You know Professor, if you want me to look after the dogs while you take other students on this jog, I'd be happy to do that." She would.

Ah, and then there was his dear Prefect, Vita, proving to be a valuable asset to the Slytherin house. He hadn't specifically instructed his prefects to come to this, but he was quite happy that she decided to. Though her suggestion did make him laugh. "I think the dogs will be just fine, but thank you." If she didn't want to come, she could have stayed behind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oh its Erik ok

Ok why Eloise was doing this she herself didn't know but she was here and ready for whatever this Health and Wellness thing was with Professor Good Lookin..she means Fuller-Thompson. Can't really get a fuller last name than that she supposed. Elosie took a big sigh of relief realizing she was not the first one here like that matter at all. Even if one of the two was one of her Prefects....eeeehhhh. Oh no she heard the dreaded J word. She should have stayed in the dorm.

"Hey Professor, I just had a giant breakfast so not a lot of running would be appreciated"

Has anyone told him today his dogs were good boys?

Eloise believed you need to tell every dog you see they were a good boy at least once a day

As another student arrived, he greeted her with a nod... and an amused smile. It was funny that people came to a health club, expecting to not work. Interesting, too. "We'll see about that," he said simply, implying that they WERE indeed going to run a bit, but it wasn't going to be anything too intense.

Piers gave his watch a final glance and then addressed the small group in front of him. "While we wait for any stragglers, let's do a bit of stretching to get our bodies warmed up. It's important to stretch so your muscles don't cramp up, especially in this cold weather." With that, Piers bent one of his knees back and grabbed onto his foot, expecting the students to follow along.

"While we stretch, does anyone here have a good New Years resolution or two they want to share? Or, if you'd like, feel free to make a suggestion for a future Health club activity." And while they shared (if they wanted to), Piers would move on to stretch his other leg.

Indigo was there. He was actually looking forward to this whole thing actually. The thing was that he liked to jog. He frequently got up early to jog before class. It helped him to clear his head. And he needed to be clear that he liked to jog on his own terms. When he chose to do it. Not when he was being forced to. This didn't feel like he was being forced to. This was more like a gathering of other people who also liked the jogging. And he definitely did not have to come. He had chosen to be there, so it was fine.

Some who knew him may be wondering why exactly he had chosen to come. Indigo liked to do things on his own. Specifically, being around other people made him feel anxious. Why would he chose to participate in this activity that generally helped relieve his anxiety in a setting that forced him into contact with other people? First of all because he wasn't expecting there to be too many people. Small groups he could manage. Also because this group was being led by Professor Pierson Fuller-Thompson, who Indigo quite liked. Why? He wasn't exactly sure. The man just gave off this vibe that made Indigo feel quite comfortable around him. He liked his class, and interacting with him made him feel more at ease than anxious. Some people were just like that even if he couldn't explain why.

When he arrived he was extra pleased because Vita was there. He gave her a warm smile as he went to stand beside her. It seemed that they had already started stretching so he quickly mirrored their positions to do his own stretching.

Cassidy was running a bit behind. She was excited for the gathering for a brisk jog. Especially since there was a chance that there might be dogs. She really was in love with Professor Fuller-Thompson's dogs. She visited them quite often ever since her and Rhett did. And look. There they were. She was grinning from ear to ear as she joined the rest of the group.

"Hello Professor." She chimed as she joined in on the stretches. Now when would she get to pet and play with his dogs.

Cold Jogging had nothing on Chloe after her winter break, so she was there and ready to get back into her training and support the school's wellness. Heading down to the grounds she made sure she was dressed correctly and smiled as she saw everyone.

"Hey everyone"

Giving a wave she jumped right in and started stretching. Starting with her legs she stretched downward. "Well professor, I think jogging is great, maybe we could host a Wellness Club 5K at the end of term or something. My resolution is to be able to up my training for Quidditch." Plus to win some games this term.

You know whenever Eloise heard adults say wE'LL SEE ABOUT thAt all it meant to here was they will do just want she asked them not to do in this case there would be running and it was time for Eloise to let out a groan as she begun the stretches he asked them to do. Because getting hurt during this would not be ideal

Oh look more people that frankly Eloise didnt care about showing up well besides Chloe.

Ah new years resolutions.

"Win gold..first place in a skateboarding competition this summer"

"Yes, I did have a nice break." Analiese decided she shouldn't go into too much detail. Or maybe she was going too little detail. She silently began stretching as Professor Fuller-Thompson asked them to do. She remained silent as he asked them for New Year's resolutions. Because she didn't exactly have any. She thought of something - anything - because she don't want to be silent for some reason.

Ooh! "I also want to improve my training for Quidditch. Even though I am a reserve."

Here, here, yes, he was here. It had been a long and relaxing holiday. So long and relaxing that Malachi almost forgot the terror that had met him out on the grounds just weeks before. Good food, a great wife and two precious children could do that. It wasn't until the man had hit the pathways and could see the whomping willow in the far distance that it returned.

Suddenly, agreeing to help Piers with the Wellness Club didn't seem like such a good idea. Nevermind how bad an idea it should have seemed the moment he thought of running and exercise, it was being out in the open for more giant spiders to attack that gave the Headmaster pause.

Was it too late to turn around and pretend an urgent matter had come up last minute?

No?

Dangit there they were up ahead. It was too late. Malachi took a deep breath to steel his resolve as he fell in next to the Charms Professor. "Not too late I hope." Big lie. He honestly hoped the man would tell him he'd missed the whole thing and they were stretching to wind down. By the sounds of it, they were discussing resolutions? At any rate they were naming things they wanted. "Not dying sounds like a good one to add to the list." Need he remind the students how much of a personal favour he would consider it if they didn't die either?

Piers nodded as an older Ravenclaw (Indigo) showed up and returned a greeting to the Gryffindor that followed, all the while continuing some mild, easy stretches to prep for the little jog that they were about to take.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazinga

Cold Jogging had nothing on Chloe after her winter break, so she was there and ready to get back into her training and support the school's wellness. Heading down to the grounds she made sure she was dressed correctly and smiled as she saw everyone.

"Hey everyone"

Giving a wave she jumped right in and started stretching. Starting with her legs she stretched downward. "Well professor, I think jogging is great, maybe we could host a Wellness Club 5K at the end of term or something. My resolution is to be able to up my training for Quidditch." Plus to win some games this term.

A 5K? Well, Piers thought it was a great idea, but he had a feeling only the two of them would show up. From the looks of it, he imagined that not many people, students particularly, would enjoy it. BUT he did like the idea. "Perhaps we could," he agreed, switching legs to stretch again. "Thank you for the suggestion."

Quote:

Originally Posted by SneakySeverusSnape

"Yes, I did have a nice break." Analiese decided she shouldn't go into too much detail. Or maybe she was going too little detail. She silently began stretching as Professor Fuller-Thompson asked them to do. She remained silent as he asked them for New Year's resolutions. Because she didn't exactly have any. She thought of something - anything - because she don't want to be silent for some reason.

Ooh! "I also want to improve my training for Quidditch. Even though I am a reserve."

"A very good goal, no matter what position you have on the team." He didn't see any other quidditch players there, did he? Well, truthfully, he didn't know, but he was proud of this girl for being dedicated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

Here, here, yes, he was here. It had been a long and relaxing holiday. So long and relaxing that Malachi almost forgot the terror that had met him out on the grounds just weeks before. Good food, a great wife and two precious children could do that. It wasn't until the man had hit the pathways and could see the whomping willow in the far distance that it returned.

Suddenly, agreeing to help Piers with the Wellness Club didn't seem like such a good idea. Nevermind how bad an idea it should have seemed the moment he thought of running and exercise, it was being out in the open for more giant spiders to attack that gave the Headmaster pause.

Was it too late to turn around and pretend an urgent matter had come up last minute?

No?

Dangit there they were up ahead. It was too late. Malachi took a deep breath to steel his resolve as he fell in next to the Charms Professor. "Not too late I hope." Big lie. He honestly hoped the man would tell him he'd missed the whole thing and they were stretching to wind down. By the sounds of it, they were discussing resolutions? At any rate they were naming things they wanted. "Not dying sounds like a good one to add to the list." Need he remind the students how much of a personal favour he would consider it if they didn't die either?

Oh, and look! The Headmaster himself found time in his busy schedule to come down to the club meeting. Late? Did anything at Hogwarts start on time? "Not at all," he said with an overly cheery grin, aware of the man's reluctance. He patted the Headmaster on the shoulder to show support... or cheek. "Not dying," he repeated, amused. "Yes, I suppose we should all have that goal." Nobody was gonna die on his watch, okay?

"Alright, everyone, let's get to it. We're just gonna take a light jog down the pathways. Nothing too intense. If you want to run ahead, you can, but if you want to take it slow, that's perfectly okay too. The goal here is to pace yourself at wherever you feel comfortable - we just want to get our blood flowing." And with that, Piers gestured the students down the path with a swing of his arm, beginning a light jog. He let the quicker ones move ahead of him while he waited to take up a spot near the back to pace himself with the slower ones. He just wanted to make sure no one got left behind.